Using thermal CVD, the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes exhibiting roots anchored directly onto ␣-alumina supports, rather than the catalyst particle, is reported. At such roots, the alignment of the graphitic planes with the support lattice fringes depends on the support crystal structure and orientation.Surface defects may alter the reactivity of the surface or control the anchoring of supported atoms or nanoparticles.We argue this surface defect is provided by the catalyst particle's edge interaction with the support, in other words its circumference. The development of oxide-based catalysts is attractive in that they potentially provide an appropriate solution to directly integrate the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and graphene into silicon-based technology.

We present a facile and efficient photobromination technique for the covalent sidewall functionalization of SWNT using N-bromosuccinamide as the bromine source. The modified bromine functionalized SWNTs are used as active agents in a resistance measuring electrode system for sensing and discrimination of analyte vapors.

In this contribution we present various data from CNT grown from supported catalysts. The observed data are in agreement with the catalyst volume to surface area model developed for floating catalysts and which predicts a direct CNT diameter and number of wall dependence on the catalyst size. Further, our studies point to the root of a CNT lying at the support rather than the catalyst. Additional supporting studies point to oxygen playing a critical role in the growth of CNT, viz. the CNT can grow from an oxide support rather than the catalyst. In this scenario the catalysts role is twofold; to precipitate carbon from the catalyst–carbon eutectic upon supersaturation and thus form the embryonic caps and to form circular defect sites at its circumference on the oxide support. These circular defect sites enable continued CNT growth directly from the support. Our findings point to catalytic processes very reminiscent of many other heterogeneous catalytic processes. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)